Chevrolet Equinox
2021 Chevrolet Equinox
L, LS, LT and Premier, with front- or all-wheel drive on LS and above. Unusually for the class, 2021 has exactly one engine: Chevrolet dropped the optional 2.0L turbo after 2020 and the 1.6L diesel after 2019, so every 2021 Equinox regardless of trim uses the 1.5L turbo and a six-speed automatic.
Overview
The 2021 Equinox is a facelift of the third-generation crossover that arrived for 2018. Chevrolet reworked the front fascia and lighting, revised the trim ladder, and made forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking standard across the range. Underneath, the changes are minimal.
The powertrain simplification is the story of this model year. With the 2.0L turbo gone, every 2021 Equinox is a 170 hp 1.5L turbo driving through a six-speed automatic. That is a modest output for a 3,300-pound crossover and the Equinox is genuinely slow compared with a Honda CR-V or a turbo RAV4. What you get in exchange is a very well-understood transmission — GM's 6T45/6T50 family has been in production for well over a decade and it does not have the shift-quality complaints attached to newer eight- and nine-speed units.
- The engine to research: GM's 1.5L LYX has a documented history of oil consumption and PCV-related lean codes on earlier years of this generation.
- The transmission to relax about: the six-speed automatic is the least troublesome part of this vehicle.
- The value case: these depreciate hard, so a low-mileage 2021 Equinox is often thousands cheaper than an equivalent CR-V or RAV4.
Reliability & running costs
Middle of the road and priced accordingly. The six-speed automatic, the body and the electrical architecture are all straightforward, but the 1.5L turbo has a real oil consumption pattern across this generation and the A/C condenser is a recurring expense. Nothing here is catastrophic in the way the Escape's coolant intrusion issue is, and a well-maintained example is a perfectly sensible used crossover — it just is not a Toyota.
- Reliability score
- 3.0 / 5
- Maintenance + repairs, per year
- $550–$1,000 per year, maintenance and repairs
Recalls
Recall coverage on third-generation Equinox models varies by build date and by whether the vehicle was originally sold in a cold-weather state. Look your VIN up on the NHTSA recall database, and separately ask a Chevrolet dealer to check for special coverage adjustments and customer satisfaction programs, which are not listed publicly but are performed at no charge when they apply.
Known issues on the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox
Reported by owners of this model year specifically — not generic advice.
- HighTypically 40,000–90,000 miles1.5L Turbo Oil ConsumptionThe engine uses noticeably more oil than expected between changes — in the worst cases enough to run low before the next service is due. Reported across this generation's 1.5L LYX.Typical fix $350–$700 valve cover and labor
- ModerateTypically 40,000–80,000 milesA/C Condenser and Compressor FailureAir conditioning gradually stops cooling, most often from a leaking condenser and in some cases a failed compressor. A frequently reported repair across this generation of Equinox.Typical fix $600–$1,500 condenser only at the low end; compressor job at the high end
- LowTypically Any mileageHesitation and Lag When Pulling Into TrafficA pause between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle moving, most noticeable from a stop or when passing. Partly a characteristic of the small turbo and partly a fixable fault.Typical fix $150–$700 depending on cause
- ModerateTypically 25,000–50,000 milesBattery Failure and Start-Stop FaultsThe vehicle cranks slowly or not at all after sitting, or the auto stop-start system quits working and the dash shows a battery saver message.Typical fix $250–$500 AGM battery, installation and reset
Engines offered
| Engine | Layout | Output | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYX1.5L turbo | Inline-4 | 170 hp | gasoline |
Service schedule
What this vehicle needs and roughly when.
Per Oil Life Monitor (typically 5,000–7,500 miles)
- Engine oil and filter — dexos1 Gen 2 approved 5W-30 full synthetic
- Rotate tires
- Inspect brake pads, rotors and lines
- Check the oil level manually — do not rely on the monitor alone on this engine
22,500 miles
- Replace cabin air filter
- Inspect drive belt and tensioner
- Inspect suspension and steering components
- Inspect exhaust system
45,000 miles
- Replace engine air filter
- Transmission fluid change under severe service
- Inspect all-wheel-drive coupling and rear differential fluid where fitted
- Inspect brake fluid condition and moisture content
75,000 miles
- Inspect valve cover PCV function if oil consumption has increased
- Inspect turbocharger plumbing and charge-air cooler connections
- Consider intake valve cleaning on a direct-injection engine at this mileage
- Replace brake fluid
97,500 miles
- Replace spark plugs
- Transmission fluid and filter under normal service
- Inspect ignition coils and boots
- Inspect motor and transmission mounts
150,000 miles / 5 years
- Replace Dex-Cool engine coolant
- Inspect water pump, thermostat and coolant hoses
- Replace serpentine belt if cracked or glazed
- Full front-end inspection: ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings
Codes this vehicle sets most often
Where the same code has a vehicle-specific root cause.
- P0171
This is the signature code for the 1.5L LYX and it usually means the PCV diaphragm inside the plastic valve cover has torn, creating an unmetered vacuum leak. Listen for a whistle at idle and check whether oil consumption has increased at the same time — that combination is close to diagnostic on its own, and the repair is a valve cover assembly rather than a hose. Read the P0171 guide.
- P0300
Random misfires on this engine are frequently a downstream effect of the same PCV failure, because a large vacuum leak leans out all four cylinders at once. If the misfire is accompanied by P0171, fix the lean condition first rather than replacing coils. Read the P0300 guide.
- P0442
A small evap leak on the Equinox most often traces to the fuel cap seal or the fuel filler neck, and GM's evap monitor only runs under fairly narrow conditions, so the light can come and go for weeks. A smoke test at the service port is the fast way to find it rather than replacing parts on suspicion. Read the P0442 guide.